Michigan State Women Fifth At Great Lakes Regional

Nov. 12, 2005

Bloomington, Ind. - The Michigan State women's cross country team took fifth-place at the 2005 Great Lakes Regional championship meet on Saturday. Junior Michelle Rafferty (Carmel, Ind.) was the top Spartan finisher placing 16^th overall in a time of 21:42.1. MSU totaled 182 points, finishing behind Michigan, Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Butler. The Spartans will now await word on whether or not they will qualify for next week's NCAA Championship, in Terre Haute, Ind.

Sophomore Lisa Senakiewich (Davison) placed 23^rd in a time of 21:58.0, Katie Kelly was 35^th in 22:14.0 and Brittany Ballard (Midland), who placed 40^th in a time of 22:24.0, made it four Spartans in the top 40.

"We ran a real good race today," said head coach Rita Arndt-Molis. "It was a terrific team effort today. We ran well together and put ourselves in good positions throughout the race."

Freshman Jennifer Hamilton (Battle Creek) rounded out the Michigan State scorers with a 68^th place finish and a time of 23:00.9.

"Jen has really been a pleasant surprise," said Arndt-Molis. "She is really racing well."

Michigan State will now await word on an at large bid to nationals on Monday, Nov. 21. The race will be held on the campus of Indiana State University. The same course the Spartans raced on at the Pre-NCAA meet on Oct. 15.